Winter Woollies

Winter Woollies

If you find yourself short on winter clothing this season, the Margaret River region has you covered - literally.

Winter provides the perfect opportunity to wrap up in layers of gorgeous wool clothing, don your beanie and gumboots and enjoy the great outdoors. And if you find yourself short, the region has you covered (literally).

Spool & Spindle is a gorgeous Margaret River shop brimming with beautiful yarns and fabrics and wool accessories. Owner Helen Barling said the most popular items for winter were beanies and socks.

“I love that the humble beanie is so widely worn in Margaret River, in so many amazing colours and designs. I have customers who will knit their entire family a new beanie each year, it’s become a tradition,” she said. “Likewise with socks. Some of my customers are addicted to knitting socks. In our fast-moving society, the knowledge that someone has sat down and knitted you a pair of beautiful wool socks, that could easily be purchased for less than $10, is humbling.”

Her personal favourite is a knitted cowl. “They’re my number one favourite accessory, and a quick easy knit. I am also slightly obsessed with crocheting blankets. I have made one for each of my three girls, and a few scatter the lounge room at home. There’s nothing as cozy as snuggling up under one of these on a rainy winter’s night!” Helen believes knitting is the new yoga. “I’m constantly inspired by the beautiful new designs that are being released by some incredible young and funky designers – both women and men. Yarn crafts (knitting, crochet, weaving and embroidery) have seen a real resurgence in recent years, to the point where it is often commented that knitting is the new yoga. It truly is.

“I can’t recommend it enough from both the satisfaction of having created something yourself to the medical benefits that it also brings.

“You can never to be too old or too young to learn. I have taught octogenarians to crochet along with children as young as six. The satisfaction is the same for everyone in learning a new skill, and that they are able to create something from scratch. It is a real joy to be a part of it.”

If you’re staying closer to Busselton, your go-to winter woolly shop has to be Cotton Rose in Vasse. Owner Tanya Wilding started the business to create a fun and inspirational space for people to come and learn how to sew, knit and crochet, also as a space for people to teach and share their talent.

“There are so many talented creative people in our region! I also wanted to provide good quality fabrics and yarn. Cotton Rose has evolved and now runs regular classes as well as hosting guest teachers from all around Australia and the world,” she said. Tanya’s favourite winter accessories are her crochet or knitted shawls and scarves. “If my neck is warm I am warm, they make my winter clothes look colourful and happy.

“The most popular activity for my customers in the winter months would be making quilts, or starting a new knitting or crochet project like a jumper, scarf or socks,” Tanya said. “People feel more like staying indoors and making things by the fire or in front of the TV watching footy.”

Talented artisan Maureen Munro from Margaret River Quilting recommends quilting as a wonderful winter pastime. “There’s nothing better than sitting in a cozy room and simply indulging in creating something beautiful,” she said.

She said a quilting project could take a few hours or a lifetime. “I have several simple projects that enable a total beginner to create a large lap quilt or bed topper, or a big cushion in a four-hour workshop. “I can then help with adding quilting and finishing. What I can’t be responsible for is the addiction that might follow!” Maureen said.

If you prefer instant gratification, Margaret River Hemp Co is a great place to start. The 23-year-old business sells beautiful hemp and bamboo jumpers, men’s hoodies, jackets and soft cardigans in the cooler months. Owner Georgina Wilkinson said her clothing was popular with locals and visitors as they are made from natural products. “They keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer and are anti-bacterial,” she said.

According to Georgina, this winter’s trend was for clothing in black, burgundy red, soft greens and blues. “We love colour!” she says.

If you’d love to make your own winter creation, take advantage of the great local courses and classes available. Here’s some inspiration:

Spool & Spindle

These guys run workshops year-round. Check their Facebook page to stay up-to-date with their upcoming workshops. Talk to Helen about party events for kids and adults.

Cotton Rose

This gem has visiting guest teachers each month until December, and a special guest in July – Anna Maria Horner. Check the Facebook page for details.

Margaret River Quilting

Here, Margaret offers one-on-one tutoring or small group workshops. Keep an eye the Facebook page for regular big cushion workshops.

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About Janine Pittaway

Janine Pittaway is a proud West Aussie, a food and wine lover, a 25-year communications professional and, for her sins, a passionate Fremantle Dockers supporter. When she’s not working for clients of her PR business, Bright Communications, she’s out and about experiencing the south west’s restaurants, coastline and attractions. Janine moved to Yallingup five years ago with her partner Stewart and cat Sago.